Football

BOSTON (CBS) – The Panthers are reportedly trying to trade wideout Steve Smith, 34, by the start of free agency, and if they can’t reach a deal to ship him out of Carolina they’ll likely cut him and his $7 million cap number.

Toucher, Rich and Wallach all seem to be in disagreement about bringing the receiver to New England.

“I would love him in a Patriots uniform. LOVE him. From a talent standpoint he’s not nearly what he used to be, but that’s a guy I want on my team,” Wallach said to open the discussion Tuesday morning.

“Can you imagine Steve Smith and Aqib Talib in the same locker room?” Rich wondered.

“That’d be great [radio] for us,” said Fred. “But he’s toxic. He’s a completely toxic individual. He is a toxic presence in the locker room according to people in the NFL.”

“Well what is the old saying about the New England Patriots?” Rich said hinting at the team’s ability to rehab the image of certain players.

“They bring in receiver who are veterans and they end up sucking. They brought in Joey Galloway, Chad Ochocinco – that’s the old saying about the Patriots. But hey, they did turn Albert Haynesworth around,” said a sarcastic Fred.

“But Steve Smith last year was better than Chad Ochocinco the year before he came here. Steve Smith isn’t a slouch even though he’s getting older,” Rich said in response.

“He’s a guy that doesn’t miss a lot of time and he can be a leader when pointed in the right direction. When you think about all the receivers in and out of the lineup all last season for the Patriots, I want a guy that’s on the field that can contribute. It seems like that’s the guy. I would love to have him,” said Wallach.

“Good. Bring in a 34-year-old outside receiver,” Fred said in disagreement.

Smith turns 35 in May and will probably be had for a 1-year deal. Smith has spent his entire 13-year career with the Panthers.